Isolation of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 and other Shiga-like-toxin-producing E. coli from dairy cattle

We examined 1,266 fecal specimens from healthy cattle during the investigations of two sporadic cases of hemolytic uremic syndrome associated with raw milk consumption and an outbreak of gastroenteritis and hemolytic uremic syndrome caused by Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7. We collected specimens from heifers, calves, and adult cows on 22 farms, in a stockyard, and in a packing house. We also collected 3 raw hamburger specimens from a...